Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem stated Tuesday that vacationers who haven’t upgraded to a REAL ID will nonetheless be capable to take home flights in the meanwhile.
Nevertheless, Noem informed a Home appropriations subcommittee that vacationers with out Actual ID-compliant playing cards must be ready to take further steps at U.S. airports after the brand new requirement takes impact Wednesday.
“What will happen tomorrow is folks will come through the [TSA screening] line, and will issue their ID and show it. If it’s not compliant, they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly,” Noem stated Tuesday with out clarifying what that further safety step would entail.
Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem speaks throughout a information convention on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Picture/Alex Brandon)
The Actual ID Act was handed in 2005 in one other try to extend airport safety following the Sept. 11 assaults. Nevertheless, implementation has confronted many years of delays earlier than the Biden administration set the most recent enforcement date in 2022.
“We intend to follow the law, so we will make sure that it is as seamless as possible, and that travelers will get to stay on their intended itinerary,” Noem stated. “But we are telling people that this law will be enforced, and it will allow us to know individuals in this country, who they are and that they’re authorized to travel.”
Greater than 80% of vacationers already use REAL ID-compliant playing cards, Noem stated, so wait occasions on the airport are usually not anticipated to extend.
She didn’t handle whether or not guests to navy and federal bases, that are additionally topic to the brand new regulation, will be capable to enter with further screening.
Initially Revealed: Could 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM EDT
